Install an eSIM on Android

Before you start

Connect to Wi-Fi and open your 1Locol order email on the Android phone where you want to install the eSIM. The email also includes a private QR code and manual activation details as fallbacks. Confirm that your exact phone model and regional variant support eSIM; two devices with similar names can have different SIM hardware.

Your phone must also be network-unlocked. If it came from a mobile provider, ask that provider to confirm its unlock status before travel.

• Install current Android and security updates.
• Keep the eSIM QR code and manual activation details private.
• Check whether validity starts on installation or first network connection.
• Do not remove the eSIM profile while troubleshooting.

Quick install from your order email

On Android 10 or later, start with the Android install button in your 1Locol order email. Open the email on the compatible phone that will use the eSIM so the secure link can hand the activation details to that device’s eSIM setup flow.

1. 1Connect the destination Android phone to Wi-Fi and open the 1Locol order email.
2. 2Under “Quick install via mobile phone”, tap Android (10+).
3. 3Allow the link to open the phone’s eSIM setup screen.
4. 4Review the plan, confirm the download and follow the system prompts.
5. 5Open SIM settings, label the new line and select it for travel mobile data.

Install on Google Pixel

1. 1Open Settings, then Network & internet, then SIMs.
2. 2Tap Add SIM, then Set up an eSIM. The wording can vary slightly by Android version.
3. 3Choose the option to use a QR code and scan the code from your installation details.
4. 4Follow the prompts to download the eSIM, then give it a recognisable travel label.
5. 5In SIM preferences, select the new eSIM for mobile data. Keep your usual SIM selected for calls and texts if that is your preference.

Install on Samsung Galaxy

1. 1Open Settings, then Connections, then SIM manager or SIM card manager.
2. 2Tap Add eSIM, then Scan QR code from service provider.
3. 3Scan the private code and follow the prompts to add the plan.
4. 4Return to SIM manager and select the travel eSIM for Mobile data.
5. 5Open the travel eSIM settings and enable Data roaming when required for partner-network coverage.

Other Android phones

Look in Settings for Network & internet, Connections, Mobile network, SIMs or SIM manager. A compatible device normally shows an option such as Add SIM, Add eSIM or Download a SIM. Use Settings search for “eSIM” when the path is different.

After installation, select the travel eSIM as the preferred mobile-data SIM. Turn off automatic data switching if you do not want the phone to use your home SIM when the travel signal is weak.

Connect on arrival

1. 1Turn on the travel eSIM and select it for mobile data.
2. 2Enable data roaming for the travel eSIM, while leaving roaming off on the home SIM.
3. 3Toggle Airplane Mode, then wait a few minutes for network registration.
4. 4Switch off Wi-Fi and load a webpage to confirm that mobile data works.